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  Discussion on Bob Marshall Sport Saddle
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Member:
Phil7007

Posted on Monday, Jan 27, 2003 - 8:19 pm:

Has anyone used one of the Bob Marshall Sport Saddles? If so, can you tell me how you liked it, and how your horse liked it?
Member:
Dommay

Posted on Monday, Sep 22, 2003 - 1:50 pm:

Hi
I have used one of these and am purchasing one as we speak. I love the security and tight fit you have. When running speed events, it makes for a secure feeling. However, you may here goods and bads about it. You either love it or hate it. My horse has not worn one yet with me on him, however, he is being ridden in one in training.
Member:
Ajudson1

Posted on Monday, Sep 22, 2003 - 8:15 pm:

Ah, Yes, a wonderful saddle!!! I have owned my Bob Marshall Sport Saddle for maybe 6 yrs and just love it!! Before purchasing it, I contacted Circle Y who makes the saddle. I explained I was riding young horses of various shapes and sizes and wanted a saddle that fit most everyone in a secure and comfortable manner. They assured me it fit my needs, and I was not disappointed. A youngster (rather boney withered TWH) who acted up being saddled with my old saddle no longer did so. My "crazy" short backed little Arab mare seemed to breath a sigh of relief with the new saddle. And my husband won't ride with me unless he can use my saddle!!! (someday we will buy another one) I love the stirrups being so under you, and the fact it's so light. I have let many people try it, and they all love it. You can so feel the horse under you, it's like riding bareback but safer. Disadvantages?? Well, you can fall out of it!!! There's no place to lock your knees if you are on a bucker. I have considered giving my saddle to my hubby, and getting a Wintec Aussie for the security, getting older and getting bucked off hurts more and longer!! And I don't care for all the fancy tooling to clean, but that's minor.
Member:
Dommay

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 23, 2003 - 9:50 am:

Hi Angie,
Have not experienced the bucking horse in it yet, but when the hard stops come and the acting up starts, for some reason my hand always reaches for the cantle for an extra hold!

I am expecting my Bob Marshall by Circle Y to arrive in the next couple of days. I bought used, but have another question to anyone out there.

I also called a dealer for the original Bob Marshall and heard conflicting stories of the original vs. the one by Circle Y.

Bob Marshall Original: not glued together but stitched. Offered in a youth cut, other color seats, various tooling, fenders, 5 year warranty, etc...

Circle Y: glued together not stitched, more padding {neoprene}than original, rubs whithers, pommel is wierd??, no where to take to get fixed

Just some various comments I have been hearing. But some trainers that have been using them for some time are saying to get Circle Y over the original brand.

Has anyone heard any of this and experienced it.
Also, the dealer for the original Bob Marshall also said to use a Skito pad. You can place inserts into this to raise the saddle off certain areas of the horse to avoid rubs etc...and ensure your fits is proper.

Thanks!
Member:
Ajudson1

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 24, 2003 - 7:57 am:

Dominique,

My saddle has a metal plate on it stating it's a Bob Marshall made by Circle Y with a patent number on it. It's all stitched together, and showing no signs of falling apart. It came with a warranty, which I have somewheres. I do recall doing a websearch and finding all styles of BM Sport saddles, but I don't think Cirlce Y made them. Maybe that's the confusion? Some of the saddles were like bareback pads almost, and some where smooth leather.

I do think if you had a really high withered boney horse, you would benefit from a thick saddle pad with the built up padding in that area. But then again you would lose some of the close contact. I personally use one of those non slip pads, the kind you cut to size/shape, and then a thin decorative blanket over it. (I am not as brave as I used to be riding, and take all precautions, no riding under the horse cuz saddle slipped LOL)

We rode 2 TWH in this saddle, 2 Arab mares of different builds, their 2 colts of dif builds, and now a paint of QTR type body. All the horses are comfy in it, no sores, no acting "cinchy".

One thing I did forget to mention; I do find my cinch (latigo?) strap keeps fraying, so I just keep melting it back together. But that's the nature of nylon.

I wonder: I see the prices went up alot since I bought mine, perhaps the quality went down and Circle Y isn't stitching but using glue now? They are known for quality though, so I am curious to see what you find out too.

Enjoy your "new" saddle!!
Member:
Beasley

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 20, 2004 - 8:49 pm:

I have purchased a second Bob Marshall because I was so pleased with the first! BUT, this time I ordered the endurance model and it will not stay put on either of my horses. It slides front to back depending on the terrain. Has anyone else had such a problem? I wonder if it needs to be girthed differently...further back? The trail saddle I had never moved an inch. Same horse. I wanted a saddle with no horn, but am not happy with the movement. I am girthing up as tight as possibly comfortable with a nice smooth girth and a breast collar. Any ideas? Bob Marshall people said to send it back to see if they could tell anything....but trouble, cost and no guarantee.
Member:
Ajudson1

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 21, 2004 - 8:53 am:

Jo,

Although I gave the BMSport saddle great reviews above, I had the same problem you are experiencing. My saddle is the regular Western with horn, and although I love it for comfort, I am no longer convinced it's great for the horses. One of mine now has problems with her withers being sore, and one over developed. And on a new horse, it's just about hitting his spine at the wither area.

I too found it to be very hard to keep in place, and now I am riding with an Aussie type Wintec.

If your horse has higher withers than his rump, you'll never keep it in place.

Personally, I would send it back and get a saddle with a tree. But everyone's situation is different, so let us know if you get the problem solved.

Do a search for the CORRECTOR PAD, made by Len Brown. He has some interesting reading on his website about treeless saddles. Now, of course he is trying to sell his product, but it's worth a look.

Good Luck.
Member:
Beasley

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 21, 2004 - 9:02 pm:

Thanks for the input, Angie. You are right on target....my new horse has a high (very nice) wither and it moves the most on him with not as much clearance as I would like. The other horse handles the saddle a little better, but it still moves. I cannot imagine what they could do to it to make it better....they suggested the girth part of the saddle might be "off." Well, I don't know if they will give me my money back...the saddle is 1 mo. old, but I will pursue this. I use the skito pad they recommend with it for $150 extra.
I also have a Wintec all purpose and if I can get the correct gullet in, I think this will be the best "all type horse" saddle. The measurement is a little subjective I have found.
Thanks again, and I'll let you know what happens with the BM.
Member:
Beasley

Posted on Thursday, May 26, 2005 - 4:34 pm:

I know this subject (Bob Marshall treeless saddles) has been done and done, but after using the saddle for 3 years, I have more questions! A saddle fitter I saw recently stated that it was really bad for the horse's back since it could easily "sit" on his spine. My horse's back of often sore and I am wondering if anyone else has a problem? Also, he seems to be developing more on one side, i.e., his right shoulder area and the saddle does not stay in place. It slips back on the right side. Now, it could just be my horse since he has a few issues of his own. But I have to wonder about the saddle. Anyone? Thanks!
Member:
Ajudson1

Posted on Friday, May 27, 2005 - 8:23 am:

So the debate goes on, huh? A good saddle or not good saddle, do we swear by it, or swear at it?

Hi again Jo!

I haven't put many hours on my saddle the last yr due to having young horses and lame horses. I am using it right now on a 6 yr old gelding who was a bucker with other saddles and seems more comfortable in the BMS.

As for being bad for the horses back/spine, my question is what about if you ride bareback? Do you "ruin" the spine? I think we sit with our weight on both sides of the spine, don't we? Geez, you'd think the Native Americans would of ruined all their horses backs, right? I've heard that comment before, and I don't see the merit of it. As for a shoulder being over developed, I had that happen on my Arab mare. I found out 2 things: 1) the saddle was too long for her and I was putting it too far forward. 2) Years of mounting without a mounting block and (o.k., 3) my riding off center had caused the shoulder/wither problem. (chiropractor for me solved my straightness problem)

If one is riding in balance, I don't think the saddle makes the back sore. My thoughts at this point; maybe if I used it for endurance riding I'd have a different view. But I've always heard of people using treeless saddles for endurance riding, so who knows?

As for the overdeveloped side, what I do with my little mare is put a piece of foam on the other side for now. Not pretty, I just stick it in there. And make it a point to ride more circles useing the other side of her body.

Sorry I don't have any answers for you, just more to think about. Please post if you get any definite answers.

BTW, I still love the comfort of this saddle.
Member:
Beasley

Posted on Saturday, May 28, 2005 - 6:26 pm:

Hi Angie: Thank you for your input on the BMS and your experience. Basically, I agree, the saddle is good and I never have a feeling of sitting "on" his spine. He is also very broadbacked and I'm sure that helps. On the tip for the overdeveloped shoulder, I will try an insert on the left side (since he is overdeveloped on the right)...correct? He has a slight stifle problem in the LR and I think the larger shoulder has resulted from that. He moves nicely even with all that is wrong and even as much as his Mom worries! Thanks again and I'll let you know if I get more definite info!
Member:
Ajudson1

Posted on Saturday, May 28, 2005 - 7:12 pm:

Yes, insert on the opposite side; to make him even to hold the saddle in place. Work him more on the left. If you have a good vet or farrier who can watch him move away from them, alone and with you on him, you may get some feedback on whether he is DrOpping his hip, and how you are sitting also. Also doing some stretches may be helpful for him. You could also try a breast collar to help keep the saddle in place.

I am still learning after 35 yrs of riding, so don't take my advice as the only way, but I hope I can give you something helpful.

Yay, to DrO, and the internet for all the info!! Now if only our we could understand "Equine".........
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